SAM Allardyce finally got his man today when the deal to bring Scotland international Colin Hendry to the Reebok was done and dusted.

The veteran centre-back will join Wanderers on a three month loan and will be available, if fit, for Saturday's trip to Wimbledon.

Allardyce feared the on-off deal he thought he had sewn up last Friday might be scuppered by a financial wrangle between the player and Coventry City but all parties have now agreed a financial package for the temporary transfer which will run up to and including the game at Nottingham Forest on March 17.

Hendry is understood to have made a significant contribution to fund the deal.

"Colin's training with us now," the manager confirmed, "and he looks good. He says he's ready and raring to go."

The question now is: who will make way for the former Blackburn and Manchester City star?

Gudni Bergsson and Paul Warhurst have proved a more than effective centre-back partnership since Mark Fish was transferred to Charlton last month. Both are first 11 players - as would be a fully fit Hendry - but each offers a versatility that would give the manager scope to accommodate all three in any starting line-up.

Warhurst could be pushed into midfield while Bergsson could switch to right back, although it is debatable whether he could improve on his sensational form at centre-back over the last two seasons!

It's a selection quandary Allardyce may not have to tackle immediately since he may decide that Hendry, who has played only reserve team football for Coventry in recent weeks, is not suitably match fit to go straight into the side at Wimbledon.

He may have to settle for a place on the subs' bench.

"We were desperately in need of another centre-back after selling Mark Fish," the manager acknowledged, "now it's a question of who to choose?

"It's a nice position to be in. Now all the injured players are wondering whether they'll get back in the side.

"The squad's getting stronger and more competitive and I'm still hoping to add to it for the Christmas period."